4-hydroxy-2-oxopyrrolidine-N-acetamide, Neuractiv, Hydroxypiracetam · Evidence-based safety and harm-reduction overview.
| Also known as | 4-hydroxy-2-oxopyrrolidine-N-acetamide, Neuractiv, Hydroxypiracetam |
| Category | Nootropic |
| year_developed | 1970s-1980s |
| solubility | Water-soluble |
| renal_clearance | Yes, renally excreted |
| US legal status | Oxiracetam is not FDA-approved as a drug in the United States and is not a lawful dietary supplement ingredient. It is typically sold in a gray market labeled as a research chemical not for human consumption. It is available as a medicine in some other countries. |
Oxiracetam is a water-soluble racetam and a hydroxylated analog of piracetam. It was developed as part of the same research lineage of pyrrolidinone-based compounds. The hydroxyl group addition distinguishes it from the parent structure and may confer different pharmacological properties.
Oxiracetam is thought to work through mechanisms similar to piracetam, possibly affecting membrane fluidity and lipid metabolism. Some research suggests it may influence oxygen utilization and energy metabolism in brain cells, though evidence in humans is indirect. The hydroxyl group may alter its interaction with cell membranes compared to piracetam.
Oxiracetam was developed as a hydroxylated modification of piracetam, part of the wave of racetam research in the 1970s and 1980s seeking improved derivatives. It has been used clinically in some countries and was studied for cognitive decline and neurological disorders. The structural modification was intended to enhance or differentiate its mechanism.
Some older clinical studies report effects of oxiracetam on cognition in people with dementia or cognitive impairment, but findings are mixed and many trials are small or dated. Evidence for cognitive enhancement in healthy adults is weak, and systematic reviews have not established clear benefit. Recent independent research on oxiracetam is limited.
In clinical studies, oxiracetam has typically been administered at oral doses ranging from approximately 2.4 to 4.8 grams daily divided across two or three doses. Trial durations have ranged from several weeks to a few months. Some research examined loading protocols.
This is general research/context information, not medical advice or a recommended protocol.
Oxiracetam has been studied in combination with choline sources in older literature, but modern evidence for such stacking is absent. Informational reference only.
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Compare testing optionsNo. It is neither FDA-approved as a drug nor a lawful dietary supplement, and it is usually sold labeled not for human consumption.
We do not provide dosing information. Consult a qualified clinician before considering any unapproved compound.
Evidence in healthy adults is weak. Most studies were conducted in clinical populations and produced mixed results.
Oxiracetam has a hydroxyl group added to the piracetam structure. Both are water-soluble, but their pharmacological profiles differ slightly.
Recent independent research on oxiracetam is limited. Most published studies are older and originate from specific regions.
Medical & legal disclaimer. This site is for informational and harm-reduction purposes only. It is not medical advice and is not a substitute for a licensed healthcare professional. The compounds discussed are largely not approved by the FDA for human use and many are sold strictly as research chemicals 'not for human consumption.' Nothing here is an endorsement to purchase, possess, or use any substance. Laws vary by jurisdiction. Always consult a qualified physician and follow the law where you live.
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